A refrigerator comprising a storage compartment

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a refrigerator ( 1 ) comprising at least one fresh food or freezing compartment ( 2 ) wherein foodstuffs to be cooled and frozen are placed, a storage compartment ( 3 ) disposed in the compartment ( 2 ), wherein the foodstuffs are placed for being stored without being spoiled, a fan ( 4 ) that is situated in the storage compartment ( 3 ), and a motor ( 5 ) that is situated outside the storage compartment ( 3 ) and that moves the fan ( 4 ) by a contactless magnetic coupling ( 8 ).

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a storage compartment wherein a cold air circulation is enabled.

In the state of the art storage compartments, wherein the oxygen concentration is decreased, are used in order to increase food storage time and to store foods that should be preserved at low temperatures such as meat, chicken, fish, etc. in the fresh food compartment and/or in order to prevent foods from absorbing odors during the storage process. In order to use the storage compartment effectively, the volume inside the storage compartment must be completely insulated and the foodstuffs therein must be rapidly cooled. Due to the leak-proofing structure of the storage compartment, heat transfer cannot be efficiently realized between the storage compartment and the compartment wherein the storage compartment is situated. Therefore, it is preferred to place additional cooling mechanisms such as fan, etc. into the storage compartment. However, the components of the cooling system such as the motor whereto the fan is connected, the cables that supply energy for the motor, etc. generate thermal load inside the storage compartment and adversely affect the insulation of the storage compartment.

In the state of the art Chinese Patent Application No. CN2704003, a refrigerator is disclosed, that comprises an ultraviolet lamp situated in the storage compartment, that provides energy saving and enables the foodstuffs to be stored for longer time periods.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator comprising a storage compartment wherein the foods are stored for a long period of time without being spoiled.

The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises at least one compartment wherein foodstuffs to be cooled are placed, a storage compartment situated in the compartment, wherein foodstuffs are placed for being stored without being spoiled, a fan situated in the storage compartment and a motor that moves the fan.

The refrigerator of the present invention comprises a contactless magnetic coupling that transfers torque from the motor situated outside the storage compartment to the fan inside the storage compartment without any mechanical connection therebetween, and that has a drive permanent magnet situated outside the storage compartment and connected to the motor shaft and an output permanent magnet situated in the storage compartment and connected to the fan. By mounting the motor outside the storage compartment, no additional thermal load is generated inside the storage compartment and the cooling process is efficiently realized. The insulation efficiency of the storage compartment, wherein the vacuuming process is realized, is increased by means of the fan that is moved by being actuated by the contactless magnetic coupling.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a bearing that is situated in the storage compartment and that enables the output permanent magnet and the drive permanent magnet to be concentrically positioned in the storage compartment and enables the fan to be supported. Thus, the output permanent magnet stays inside the magnetic field generated by the drive permanent magnet and an efficient torque transfer is provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor is fixed to the rear side of the rear wall of the refrigerator so as not to be seen from the outside. Thus, the space inside the refrigerator is used effectively.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises an evaporator that draws heat from the compartment. The fan is positioned in the storage compartment so as to blow air onto the surface of the storage compartment facing the evaporator. Thus, the storage compartment is enabled to be cooled in a more rapid and efficient manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises at least one cover that is situated on the storage compartment and that allows the placement of foodstuffs into the storage compartment, and a control unit that operates the motor for a cooling time predetermined by the producer when the cover is opened and closed. Thus, the temperature of the air that fills into the storage compartment before the storage process starts is decreased, the foods are prevented from being spoiled and the color and taste of the foods are prevented from changing.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor operation time predetermined by the producer varies depending on the type and weight of the foodstuffs.

By means of the present invention, the fan providing the circulation of the cold air inside the storage compartment rotates with the effect of the magnetic force without contacting the motor shaft. Thus, the motor can be placed outside the storage compartment and the temperature inside the storage compartment is prevented from increasing as a result of the operation of the motor. While the cooling efficiency inside the storage compartment is improved, the storage compartment is almost completely insulated from the compartment.

The model embodiments relating to a refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

FIG. 1 is the schematic view of a refrigerator.

FIG. 2 is the schematic view of the storage compartment in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is the schematic view of the storage compartment related to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Refrigerator

2. Compartment

3. Storage compartment

4. Fan

5. Motor

6. Drive Permanent Magnet

7. Output Permanent Magnet

8. Contactless Magnetic Coupling

9. Bearing

10. Rear wall

11. Evaporator

12. Cover

13. Control unit

t_(s): a cooling time predetermined by the producer

The refrigerator (1) comprises at least one fresh food or freezing compartment (2) wherein foodstuffs to be cooled and frozen are placed, a storage compartment (3) disposed preferably in the fresh food compartment (2), wherein the foodstuffs are placed for being stored without being spoiled, a fan (4) that is situated in the storage compartment (3), and a motor (5) that is situated outside the storage compartment (3) and that moves the fan (4).

The refrigerator (1) of the present invention comprises a contactless magnetic coupling (8) that transfers torque from the motor (5) to the fan (4) situated inside the storage compartment (3) without any mechanical connection therebetween, and that has a drive permanent magnet (6) situated outside the storage compartment (3) and connected to the motor (5) shaft and an output permanent magnet (7) situated in the storage compartment (3) and connected to the fan (4). By mounting the motor (5) outside the storage compartment (3), no additional thermal load is generated inside the storage compartment (3) and the cooling process is efficiently realized. By means of the fan (4) actuated by the contactless magnetic coupling (8), it is not required to bore holes on the storage compartment (3) wall in order to provide the mechanical connection between the motor (5) and the fan (4), thus the problem of leak-proofing is solved. In order to improve the storage life of the foods inside the storage compartment (3), preferably the vacuuming process is performed. By means of the embodiment of the present invention, the leak-proofing of the vacuumed storage compartment (3) is provided and the insulation efficiency is improved.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a bearing (9) that is fixed to the storage compartment (3) and that enables the output permanent magnet (7) and the drive permanent magnet (6) to be concentrically positioned in the storage compartment (3) and enables the fan (4) to be supported. Thus, the output permanent magnet (7) stays inside the magnetic field generated by the drive permanent magnet (6) and an efficient torque transfer is provided between the motor (5) and the fan (4).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a rear wall (10) forming the rear side of the body thereof and the motor (5) that is mounted onto the rear side of the rear wall (10) (FIG. 1, FIG. 2). Thus, the motor (5) does not occupy any space inside the refrigerator (1), cannot be seen by the user from the outside and the space inside the compartment (2) is effectively used.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises an evaporator (11) that draws heat from the compartment (2). The fan (4) is positioned so as to blow air onto the surface of the storage compartment (3) facing the evaporator (11) (FIG. 3). Thus, the storage compartment (3) is enabled to be cooled in a more rapid and efficient manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises at least one cover (12) that is situated on the storage compartment (3) and that allows the placement of foodstuffs into the storage compartment (3), and a control unit (13) that operates the motor (5) for a cooling time (t_(s)) predetermined by the producer when the cover (12) is opened and closed. By operating the motor (5) after the cover (12) is closed, the temperature of the air that fills into the storage compartment (3) is rapidly decreased, the foods are prevented from being spoiled and the color and taste of the foods are prevented from changing.

In the refrigerator (1) of the present invention, the air circulation inside the storage compartment (3) is realized with the actuation of the fan (4) by the drive permanent magnet (6). Since the motor (5) can be placed outside the storage compartment (3), the temperature inside the storage compartment (3) is prevented from increasing as a result of the operation of the motor (5). While the cooling efficiency inside the storage compartment (3) is improved, the storage compartment (3) is almost completely insulated from the compartment (2). 

1. A refrigerator (1) comprising at least one fresh food or freezing compartment (2) wherein foodstuffs to be cooled and frozen are placed, a storage compartment (3) disposed in the compartment (2), wherein the foodstuffs are placed for being stored without being spoiled, a fan (4) that is situated in the storage compartment (3) and a motor (5) that is situated outside the storage compartment (3) and that moves the fan (4), characterized by a contactless magnetic coupling (8) that transfers torque from the motor (5) to the fan (4) situated inside the storage compartment (3), and that has a drive permanent magnet (6) situated outside the storage compartment (3) and connected to the motor (5) shaft and an output permanent magnet (7) situated in the storage compartment (3) and connected to the fan (4).
 2. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1, characterized by a bearing (9) that is fixed to the storage compartment (3) and that enables the output permanent magnet (7) and the drive permanent magnet (6) to be concentrically positioned in the storage compartment (3) and enables the fan (4) to be supported.
 3. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1, characterized by a rear wall (10) forming the rear side of the body of the refrigerator (1) and the motor (5) that is mounted onto the rear side of the rear wall (10).
 4. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1, characterized by an evaporator (11) that draws heat from the compartment (2) and the fan (4) that is positioned so as to blow air onto the surface of the storage compartment (3) facing the evaporator (11).
 5. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1, characterized by at least one cover (12) that is situated on the storage compartment (3) and that allows the placement of foodstuffs into the storage compartment (3), and a control unit (13) that operates the motor (5) for a cooling time (t_(s)) predetermined by the producer when the cover (12) is opened and closed.
 6. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 2, characterized by a rear wall (10) forming the rear side of the body of the refrigerator (1) and the motor (5) that is mounted onto the rear side of the rear wall (10).
 7. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 2, characterized by an evaporator (11) that draws heat from the compartment (2) and the fan (4) that is positioned so as to blow air onto the surface of the storage compartment (3) facing the evaporator (11).
 8. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 3, characterized by an evaporator (11) that draws heat from the compartment (2) and the fan (4) that is positioned so as to blow air onto the surface of the storage compartment (3) facing the evaporator (11).
 9. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 6, characterized by an evaporator (11) that draws heat from the compartment (2) and the fan (4) that is positioned so as to blow air onto the surface of the storage compartment (3) facing the evaporator (11).
 10. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 2, characterized by at least one cover (12) that is situated on the storage compartment (3) and that allows the placement of foodstuffs into the storage compartment (3), and a control unit (13) that operates the motor (5) for a cooling time (t_(s)) predetermined by the producer when the cover (12) is opened and closed.
 11. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 3, characterized by at least one cover (12) that is situated on the storage compartment (3) and that allows the placement of foodstuffs into the storage compartment (3), and a control unit (13) that operates the motor (5) for a cooling time (t_(s)) predetermined by the producer when the cover (12) is opened and closed.
 12. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 4, characterized by at least one cover (12) that is situated on the storage compartment (3) and that allows the placement of foodstuffs into the storage compartment (3), and a control unit (13) that operates the motor (5) for a cooling time (t_(s)) predetermined by the producer when the cover (12) is opened and closed.
 13. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 6, characterized by at least one cover (12) that is situated on the storage compartment (3) and that allows the placement of foodstuffs into the storage compartment (3), and a control unit (13) that operates the motor (5) for a cooling time (t_(s)) predetermined by the producer when the cover (12) is opened and closed.
 14. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 7, characterized by at least one cover (12) that is situated on the storage compartment (3) and that allows the placement of foodstuffs into the storage compartment (3), and a control unit (13) that operates the motor (5) for a cooling time (t_(s)) predetermined by the producer when the cover (12) is opened and closed.
 15. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 8, characterized by at least one cover (12) that is situated on the storage compartment (3) and that allows the placement of foodstuffs into the storage compartment (3), and a control unit (13) that operates the motor (5) for a cooling time (t_(s)) predetermined by the producer when the cover (12) is opened and closed.
 16. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 9, characterized by at least one cover (12) that is situated on the storage compartment (3) and that allows the placement of foodstuffs into the storage compartment (3), and a control unit (13) that operates the motor (5) for a cooling time (t_(s)) predetermined by the producer when the cover (12) is opened and closed. 